Libya win not enough to reach knockout round

Libya defeated pre-Africa Cup of Nations favourite Senegal 2-1 on Sunday, pushing the West African team out of the tournament with zero points. Despite the win, Libya will not advance to the knockout round.

AFP - One of the pre-tournament favourites Senegal finished a disappointing 2012 Africa Cup of Nations campaign without a point after they lost 2-1 to Libya here in their final Group A match.

Senegal finished rock bottom of the group, while Libya failed to reach the knockout stage after Zambia defeated co-hosts Equatorial Guinea to win the group on seven points.

Libya were third with four points despite their first victory in 30 years in this tournament - their last win coming against Zambia in 1982, when they hosted the competition.

Zambia will now tackle the runners-up from Group B in Bata, while Equatorial Guinea will battle the winner of Group B, most likely the Ivory Coast, in Malabo for a place in the last four.

In a bid to salvage their pride, the Teranga Lions of Senegal made six changes to the team who lost 2-1 to co-hosts Equatorial Guinea to crash out of the competition.

Among the changes were goalkeeper Khadim Ndiaye, Montepellier striker Souleymane Camara and Demba Ba, who has fired 15 goals in the English Premier League this season but posted a very disappointing Nations Cup debut outing.

Libya went in front after just five minutes through Ihab Abousaifi after he was set up by the tricky Ahmed Osman.

Osman wiggled his way around the top of the box before he slipped the ball for Abousaifi, who features for Tunisian club Club Africain, to score.

Senegal responded six minutes later, when Arles-Avignon midfielder Deme Ndiaye rose above the Libyan defence to head home a corner for the equaliser.

In the 33rd minute, Souleymane Camara’s low drive forced a good save from Libya goalkeeper Samir Aboud, who tipped the ball for a corner.

And from that corner experienced Libya defender Younes Al-Shibani saved a Mamadou Niang effort on the goal line after the keeper was beaten.

Abousaifi scored his second goal six minutes from time with a fine volley after he combined well with strike partner Ahmed Zuway, who capitalised on some poor defending by Cheikh M’Bengue.

Senegal had a goal by Souleymane Camara disallowed for offside on the dot of time.